Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for peripheral neuropathy of his hands and feet, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for low back pain with degenerative disc disease.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and PTSD, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or stressor sufficient to establish these conditions.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for an increased rating for wedging of L1 and lumbosacral spurring, residuals of a low back injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic skin disorder, low back disability, prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction. The claim to reopen his bilateral eye disorder was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine did not have its onset or increase in severity during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back pathology, including degenerative disc disease L5-S1 and disc extrusion at L3-4, is unrelated to a back muscle strain sustained in service in September 1976.

The Board finds that the veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is established, meeting the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.352(a).

The veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disorder was granted, and he is currently assigned a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board has received a lay statement from the appellant's brother and is remanding the case to the RO for review of this new evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and clarifying his claim for service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking any claimed conditions to service, resulting in denial of all service connection claims.

The Board found that schizophrenia was not shown in service and there is no evidence of a nexus to service. The veteran's low back disorder claim is remanded as it lacks current medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar scoliosis with degenerative changes does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as his range of motion is within normal limits and he does not have ankylosis or other severe functional impairment.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left knee and low back disorders have been denied. The right knee claim has been reopened, but the new evidence does not establish a chronic right knee disability since discharge from service.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability, manifested by limitation of forward flexion to 32 degrees and no evidence of ankylosis, does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran seeks service connection for a low back disorder with pain radiating into the right leg. The Board has ordered further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current condition and military service.

The veteran's stomach disability is granted secondary to medication used for his service-connected myofascial pain syndrome. His lumbosacral spine condition warrants a 40 percent rating, and the cervical and dorsal spine conditions are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims to reopen for right shoulder disorder and bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus, callosities and degenerative arthrosis. The veteran is also service-connected for hearing loss in the left ear, degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, degenerative joint disease of the right ankle, a bilateral knee disorder, and depression.

The veteran is seeking service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine with laminectomy, which he claims developed due to his military duties. The case has been remanded for further examination and determination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 11, 2003 and after that date.